Board of Directors
Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime is guided and overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors who have a passion for making people’s lives better.
Brent Binions
Board Chairman
Brent Binions is known for his visionary leadership in senior living across Canada. As former President and CEO of Chartwell, Brent was instrumental in launching the company’s charitable wish-granting mission in 2015, inspired by his belief that dreams and purpose have no age limit.
Reflecting on his favourite wish, Brent shares, “Reuniting a resident with his sister after 50 years apart was a powerful reminder of the impact a single wish can have. Seeing the joy on his face captured exactly what Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime is all about.”
Jonathan Boulakia
Vice-Chair and Secretary, Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime
Chief Investment Officer and Chief Legal Officer, Chartwell
Jonathan oversees Chartwell’s real estate portfolio, legal and governance matters, and leads initiatives in privacy, ESG, and diversity. He joined Chartwell in 2008 after practicing corporate law at Torys LLP and currently serves on the Boards of the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority and Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime.
“What inspires me about Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime is the opportunity to share powerful moments with people at a time when they need it most. It’s a reminder of how fortunate many of us are – and how important it is not to take that for granted. Seeing the joy and excitement on seniors’ faces as they live out these experiences truly moves me.”
Amie Wilker
Manager of Operations, Woodingford Lodges
Amie Wilker has been helping make wishes come true for two decades. Starting out as a recreation manager at a seniors’ residence back in 2004, she asked her grandfather to make a wooden wishing well and invited residents to drop in their wishes. “Having dreams and wishes gives us hope, drives our purpose and propels us to achieve these great moments that define us,” says Amie, now Manager of Operations for Long Term Care services in Oxford County.
“I believe you can achieve anything you dream of at any time in your personal journey. It is never too late to live out a dream you desire. Overcoming obstacles only makes them that more rewarding.”
Diana Artuso
Treasurer, Chair of Audit & Finance Committee
Diana Artuso is a seasoned financial executive with over three decades of experience in finance, management, and system implementation. For the past 25 years, she has held progressive roles in accounting and finance within the Retirement and Long-Term Care sectors.
Diana is passionate about Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime’s mission to grant meaningful wishes to seniors, especially those that reunite families or bring generations together. “We should honour and show gratitude to seniors for everything that they have done for us. Their wishes are part of their legacy, and we are honouring them.”
Sharon Ranalli
Chair of Fundraising Committee, Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime
Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Chartwell
Sharon is a strategic leader with over 30 years of experience in marketing, public affairs, government, and corporate communications. She oversees the marketing and communications teams at Chartwell as well as serving as a volunteer Board Director for Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime, the Ontario Retirement Communities Association, The BC Care Providers Association and ALS Canada.
“Fulfilling wishes for seniors reminds us that the value of the human spirit in pursuit of curiosity, connection and overcoming a barrier or pursing a passion never goes away.”
Marie-France Lemay
Vice-President, Operations and Sales, Chartwell
A seasoned leader in Quebec’s senior living sector, Marie-France oversees Chartwell’s operations and sales across the province. Since 2008, she has played a key role in the growth of the Chartwell network in Quebec, spearheading major acquisitions and development initiatives.
As a member of the Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime Board of Directors, Marie-France believes that there is no age limit to achieving one’s dreams. “Helping seniors fulfill their lifelong wishes brings immense joy and creates lasting memories.”
Karen James
Karen James is a dedicated leader with over 20 years of experience in senior living, spanning operations in retirement and long-term care across four provinces. Now retired, she formerly served as Senior Vice President of Customer Experience Strategy at Chartwell, where she championed national initiatives to enhance resident satisfaction and well-being.
As a member of the Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime Board of Directors, Karen is passionate about celebrating seniors and ensuring their stories are heard. “I believe every senior deserves to feel seen and celebrated, especially those who've spent their lives caring for others. Wishes bring such joy in their later years and reminds them—and us—that it's never too late to feel valued and celebrated,” she shares.
Rosalind Hunter
Partner, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Rosalind Hunter is Co-Chair of Osler’s Capital Markets Group and a respected corporate lawyer with extensive experience in equity offerings, debt financings, and M&A transactions. Having served as corporate legal counsel to Chartwell, she has witnessed the organization’s dedication to improving seniors’ lives.
“I welcomed the opportunity to further support that goal through the work of Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime,” Rosalind says. As a member of the charity’s Governance Committee, she is proud to contribute to making meaningful differences in the lives of older adults.
Bob Weese
Bob Weese brings decades of public service and leadership to the Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime board. After postgraduate studies in International Politics in the U.K., Bob served on Parliament Hill and held senior roles in both the Saskatchewan and federal governments. He later joined GE Canada as Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy, retiring in 2011.
Following his wife’s passing, Bob moved to Chartwell Grenadier Retirement Residence, where he experienced Chartwell’s commitment to seniors and wish granting firsthand. “I fully appreciate the importance of Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime and am pleased to support such an important cause.”
Nadine Rabinovitch
Nadine brings a unique blend of creativity and compassion to the Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime board. A former bilingual stage and voice-over actor and certified aqua fitness instructor, she retired in 2016 to care for her mother with Alzheimer’s. Nadine’s hands-on experience supporting aging loved ones inspires her involvement with Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime, where she serves on the Fundraising Committee.
“I believe in respecting the contributions and wisdom of seniors and am grateful for the opportunity to help fulfill their wishes.”
Pamela Leiper
Vice President & General Counsel, Chartwell
Chair of Governance Committee
Pamela Leiper is Vice President & General Counsel at Chartwell, with over 20 years of experience in employment law, litigation, and legal risk management. She leads Chartwell's legal department, overseeing real estate, litigation, privacy, and compliance. Inspired by the impact her grandparents had on her life, Pamela is passionate about Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime's mission to celebrate older adults by making their lifelong wishes come true.
"Honouring older adults by fulfilling their lifelong dreams is a way to give back to a generation that has given me so much."
